Our purpose
Business creates opportunities for people to work together, understand different perspectives and build shared interests. UECN connects businesses across China and the UAE to encourage cooperation, strengthen mutual understanding and contribute to peace.
Discover Our MissionBI Group has entered into an agreement with Citic Middle East Contracting, a subsidiary of China's Citic Construction Co, to collaborate on three upcoming real estate developments in Dubai. The agreement sets a framework for Citic's proposed role as the main construction contractor, covering early-stage design, value engineering, and project execution.
Under Ministerial Decision No. 168 of 2026, UAE businesses must ensure their e-invoicing vendors have completed full accreditation. The new decision took effect on October 1, 2026, replacing an interim framework, and requires companies with annual turnover of Dh50 million or more to contract an accredited partner by October 30, 2026.
UAE Presidential Special Envoy Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing to review the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The officials discussed expanding cooperation across priority economic and industrial sectors, including bilateral trade and investment initiatives. The meeting was attended by UAE Ambassador to China Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi and senior officials.
The UAE Ministry of Investment and China Securities signed an MoU on October 13, 2026, to enhance bilateral investment and capital flows. The partnership supports China Securities' regional presence in the Dubai International Financial Centre and targets asset management, capital markets advisory, and institutional investor links.
Companies in the UAE closing their financial periods on December 31, 2026, face statutory audit rules under expanded corporate tax compliance regulations. Entities with annual revenue above AED 50 million and Qualifying Free Zone Persons must submit audited financial statements. The framework also introduces a five-year audit limitation window for the Federal Tax Authority.
Understand the policies, laws and regulations shaping business across China and the UAE.
Business registration · Investment · Taxation · Customs · Trade · Financial regulation · Employment · Visas · Free-zone policies
Members of the UAE Federal National Council took part in the 2026 Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges in Tianjin, China. UAE representative Sumaya Abdullah Al Suwaidi highlighted legislative frameworks for industrial and educational partnerships and showcased the Operation 300bn strategy. Discussions centered on advanced technologies, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and industry-academia cooperation.
Sharjah Media City (Shams) has launched 'Bedaya', an artificial intelligence-driven platform designed to streamline business setup for foreign and domestic investors. The system matches user proposals with authorized free zone activities and suggests corporate structures. It also generates trade names and automated fee schedules in Arabic and English.
The UAE Ministry of Finance has eliminated the preliminary approval stage for electronic invoicing service providers, requiring them to secure direct accreditation before offering services. Issued under Ministerial Decision No. 168 of 2026, the updated framework took effect on October 1, 2026, ahead of the October 30 deadline for large businesses to appoint an accredited provider. Service providers that previously held preliminary approval have 30 days from October 1 to complete the necessary assessments and testing.
Follow the trade, investment and partnerships bringing China and the UAE closer together.
A UAE delegation led by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology is attending the China International Industry Fair 2026 in Shanghai. The visit focuses on exploring investment partnerships in advanced technology, smart manufacturing, and automation. Participating entities include major UAE industrial, investment, and development organizations.
Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi met with UAE presidential special envoy Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak in Beijing on Tuesday. The two sides reviewed their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed ways to expand cooperation across key sectors. Wang reiterated that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting regional peace and a comprehensive ceasefire in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabian Refineries Company announced that its one-year non-binding memorandum of understanding with UAE-based Go Energy has expired without reaching a definitive agreement. The company stated that the expiration involves no financial obligations or impact on its financial results. SARCO continues to hold a separate hydrogen cooperation agreement signed in May with China's Ally Hydrogen Energy.
UAE Presidential Special Envoy Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on October 13, 2026. The two officials reviewed bilateral ties under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework and discussed expanding cooperation in key sectors. Both sides reaffirmed commitments to broaden trade and investment opportunities and maintain regular diplomatic consultation.
Explore the industries creating new opportunities for cooperation across both markets.
Consumer Markets & Tourism
Online and in-app payments accounted for 55% of domestic Visa payment volume in the UAE in 2026, up from 35% in 2019, according to Visa Business and Economic Insights. Payment card activity on food delivery applications climbed from approximately 2% in 2018 to nearly 30% in 2026, driven primarily by everyday spenders. In addition, 25.7% of active UAE Visa cards logged at least 10 digital transactions monthly, compared to 4.5% in 2018.
Finance & Investment
Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has granted Full Market Approval to Payward FZCO, the parent company entity of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken. The license authorizes Payward to provide broker-dealer, management, and investment services to retail, professional, and institutional clients. Kraken plans to launch UAE services in the coming weeks, featuring UAE dirham trading pairs and direct AED funding.
Finance & Investment
Spot gold traded at $4,185.69 an ounce as trend-following funds accumulated an estimated $10 billion net short position. Concurrently, China's central bank extended its gold buying streak to 23 consecutive months, adding approximately 23 tonnes in September. Analysts note that structural accumulation by central banks is offsetting speculative selling ahead of key US inflation data.
Finance & Investment
National banks in the UAE posted double-digit annual increases across key performance indicators in August 2026, according to Central Bank of the UAE data published by Voice of Emirates. National bank assets rose 13.6% year-on-year to exceed AED 5.15 trillion, while total credit expanded 19.2% to AED 2.663 trillion. Deposits at national banks increased 14.2% to AED 3.181 trillion over the same period.
Stay informed about official travel advisories, entry restrictions and transport disruptions across the Middle East.
Flight cancellation / route change
Beirut / US-Lebanon air routes
Flight cancellation / route change
King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Riyadh
Official travel advisory
King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
Emergency / health travel notice
King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
Alerts are based on official sources and show when they were last verified. Always follow the guidance of the official authorities. The absence of an alert does not mean that a destination is safe.
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Connect with businesses across China and the UAE. Exchange knowledge, explore opportunities and contribute to a community that values cooperation, mutual understanding and peace.
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